areola

Meaning

Noun

• The colored circle around a nipple, more exactly known as areola mammae.
• Any small circular area that is different from its immediate environment, such as the colored ring around the pupil of the eye (iris) or an inflamed region surrounding a pimple.
• Any of the small spaces throughout areolar connective tissue.

Origin

• Borrowed from Latin āreola ("small vacant space, garden"), diminutive of ārea. areole.